Susan Olinger

Susan's Story

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BARON, Okla. - Graveside services for Susan Olinger will be held at Downing Cemetery in Baron, Okla., on Friday, May 22, 2015 at 10 a.m. under the care of Green Country Funeral Home. Online condolences for the family may be left at tahlequahfuneral.com. Susan (Suk Cha Kim) Olinger was born on Jan. 25, 1935, in Seoul, Korea. At an early age, Susan, her mother, father, two sisters, and two brothers migrated to Northern Korea in 1945 and later returned to their hometown of Seoul, Korea. Susan graduated from high school with honors and began working for the Bank of Korea and later worked as a civilian at American military bases in South Korea. Susan met her future husband, Larry Olinger, who at that time was in the United States Army. Larry and Susan were married on April 28, 1965. In 1965, Larry was transferred to Honolulu, Hawaii, where the couple had a daughter that they named Deborah in 1968. That same year Susan was naturalized as a United States citizen. The family moved to California in the early 1970s to live at Hamilton Air Force Base. During this time, Susan diligently worked for a variety of companies and she maintained a strong work ethic throughout her entire life. The family later moved to Petaluma, California, and in 1982, Susan had the opportunity to visit her home country of Korea when Larry was transferred there for a tour of duty. Susan and her family lived in Taegu, Korea, for 18 months before returning to live in Petaluma in 1984. Love and faith were always important to Susan and she dedicated her life to God by being baptized in 1987 at Petaluma Valley Baptist Church in Petaluma, California. Susan retired at the age of 61 and she and her husband settled down in Oro Valley, Arizona. Her devotion to her faith was and is an inspiration to many and continues to impact those that know and love her. Susan had a smile that could light up any room and her sweet disposition led many to consider her an angel on Earth. Susan was beyond generous and went out of her way to help others whenever she had the opportunity. Susan is preceded in death by her mother, father, two sisters and a brother. Susan is survived by, and her memory lives on in her husband Larry, her daughter Deborah, her brother Ken Kim and his wife, her brothers and sisters in-law, her 12 nieces and seven nephews, her many friends and loved ones, and the family cats Echo and Duey. Susan died peacefully at her home in Oro Valley, Ariz., on May 16, 2015, surrounded by her family, as a result of complications from breast cancer. To honor Susan’s memory, the family has asked that you pay it forward and do something or say something kind to someone, whether it is for someone you love or a complete stranger. Green Country Funeral Home, 203 Commercial Road, 918-458-5055.